Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity | Retrospect Ep.228

from Retrospect · host Ian Wolffe / Stoney / Jason

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode we discussed Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s provocative “Theory of Stupidity,” written during his resistance to the Nazi regime. Drawing from his letters and prison writings, Bonhoeffer argues that stupidity is more dangerous than evil, not a lack of intelligence, but a moral and social failure that spreads in times of power and propaganda. We unpack what he meant, why he believed stupidity thrives under authoritarianism, and how his insights remain strikingly relevant in today’s polarized world.Our Links:Retrospect

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 23, 2026

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Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity | Retrospect Ep.228

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This episode was published on February 23, 2026.

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